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All that Glitters

by: Dwyn Tomlinson

All that glitters is not gold - certainly not since Swarovski started making beads! This glittering riot of champagne and copper demonstrates that.

Overall length is 19 inches - adjust to suit your personal preference.

The side clusters are made with the cluster technique. In a nutshell, make a loop in the middle of a piece of wire about 15 inches long and twist a few times. Then separate the two ends of the wire, and string approx. 10 - 12 beads on each side, all pendant style such as top-drilled bicones, pear drops, or briolettes. Include one Jet one, and one 10 mm pearl (not a drop - but that's ok), and the rest a mix of colours. Then bring the wires together, and twist the entire assemblage lightly - so that it forms a cohesive unit. Take the two ends and make a wrapped loop - using both wires at once.

For the centre section, wire the coral branch pendant up on a single piece of wire, using a 10 mm pearl as an accent, and make a loop at the top. Place this on a wire with a 10 mm pearl on each side, and make a wrapped loop on each side, leaving a long tail of wire. Thread about 7 - 10 beads, a mix of bicones and top-drill bicones on the tail, and bring it across the front of the pair of pearls, and then wrap and secure on the other side at the loop.

Attach the centre segment to the side clusters with a jumpring.

Thread a piece of beading cable through the loop at the end of the side cluster, and secure with a crimp. String about 13 top-drill bicones, alternating 8 and 6 mm, and then add three 4 mm bicones. Alternate bicones and 6 mm pearls until you have enough length, and then add your clasp.

The earrings are made the same as the cluster drop earrings, with about 6 beads per side on each wire pair - so 12 beads per earring + the drop at the bottom.

You can use ready made ear wires, or bend your own.

For the wire, I mostly used 20 gauge for the heavier wire, and 26 ga for the lighter wire.

          
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Components
Clicking on components links will open a new window so that you don't lose this page.
74701010-11 Craft Wire - 20ga - Brass (Tarnish Resistant) (Artistic Wire)

(for centerpiece dangle (coral branch) and earwires. But you can buy earwires if you prefer.)

Price: $ 10.95
per
In Stock
74701013-11 Craft Wire - 26ga - Tarnish Resistant Brass (Artistic Wire)

(for the rest of the wiring.)

Price: $ 11.95
per
Sorry, Out of Stock
helcbcgf100 Crimp Bead Covers Smooth - 3mm - Gold-filled (10)Price: $ 7.85
per
In Stock
96096052 Crimp Tubes - Seamless - 2mm - Gold-filled (25)Price: $ 8.95
per
In Stock
96096140 Earring - 20mm Fishhooks - Gold-filled (Pair)

(I made the earwires - but you can purchase if you prefer)

Price: $ 8.87
per
In Stock
Qty: 2 96096104 Jump Rings Open - 5mm - Gold-filled (25)Price: $ 19.95
per
In Stock
s27338 Magnetic Clasp Smooth Round - Large - Gold Plated

(Not the same clasp - the one I used is out of stock.)

Price: $ 19.55
per
Sorry - this item
is unavailable.
961ext01930gld Softflex (tm) Beading Wire - 30ft .019 (Medium) - Extreme 24k Gold (Spool)Price: $ 54.74
per
Sorry - this item
is unavailable.
Qty: 36 27753011260001 Swarovski Bead - 4mm Faceted Bicone (5301/5328) - Crystal Golden Shadow (36)Price: $ 8.22
per
Sorry - this item
is unavailable.
Qty: 6 34760101001246 Swarovski Bead - 6.5x13mm Briolette Drops (6010) - Light Colorado TopazPrice: $ 2.90
per
Sorry - this item
is unavailable.
Qty: 15 34763011002001 Swarovski Bead - 6mm Top-Drilled Bicone (6301) - Crystal Golden Shadow (12)Price: $ 11.50
per
Sorry - this item
is unavailable.
Qty: 15 34763011002001 Swarovski Bead - 6mm Top-Drilled Bicone (6301) - Crystal Golden Shadow (12)

(I used a random blend of Crystal Golden Shadow and Colorado Light Topaz.)

Price: $ 11.50
per
Sorry - this item
is unavailable.
Qty: 15 34763011023246 Swarovski Bead - 6mm Top-Drilled Bicone (6301) - Light Colorado Topaz (12)Price: $ 11.50
per
Sorry - this item
is unavailable.
Qty: 2 34763011071280 Swarovski Bead - 8mm Top-Drilled Bicone (6301) - Jet (6)Price: $ 5.25
per
Sorry - this item
is unavailable.
Qty: 15 34763011069246 Swarovski Bead - 8mm Top-Drilled Bicone (6301) - Light Colorado Topaz (6)Price: $ 5.54
per
Sorry - this item
is unavailable.
Qty: 5 27758101220001 Swarovski Pearl - 10mm Round Pearl (5810) - Copper Pearl (10)Price: $ 6.99
per
Sorry - this item
is unavailable.
Qty: 22 2775810675187 Swarovski Pearl - 6mm Round Pearl (5810) - Copper Pearl (strand 25)

(+ 2 more for the earrings)

Price: $ 6.00
per
Sorry - this item
is unavailable.
Qty: 6 34760121001002 Swarovski Pendant - 10x11mm Faceted Flat Briolette (6012) - Crystal Golden ShadowPrice: $ 4.25
per
Sorry - this item
is unavailable.
Qty: 1 34767901051001 Swarovski Pendant - 40mm 3-Branch Coral Sprig (6790) - Crystal Golden ShadowPrice: $ 32.21
per
Sorry - this item
is unavailable.
helezearring Tools - EZ Earring - Ear Wire Making Tool - (1)

(I used this to make the earwires)

Price: $ 32.45
per
Sorry - this item
is unavailable.

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